Big name attractions for charity Gothic and Steampunk fair in Bradford

Icons from the cult rock band New Model Army will make a guest appearance at Bradford's charity Gothic and Steampunk fair on Saturday.
Justin Sullivan of New Model Army is to attend the Gothic and Steampunk fair. Picture: Nidge SandersJustin Sullivan of New Model Army is to attend the Gothic and Steampunk fair. Picture: Nidge Sanders
Justin Sullivan of New Model Army is to attend the Gothic and Steampunk fair. Picture: Nidge Sanders

Justin Sullivan, frontman with the Bradford-based band and Joolz Denby, the renowned poet, writer, artist and tattooist, who designs for and performs with the band, will pick up a donation of £900 on behalf of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. The presentation of the funds, raised at previous events, takes place at 2.30pm.

Sullivan and Denby are both supporters of the Foundation, which raises awareness of hate crime against people from alternative sub-cultures. Sophie Lancaster died in 2007 after she and her boyfriend were attacked for being Goths and their story was recently retold in the BBC drama Murdered for Being Different.

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Sullivan said: “We have always been strong supporters of the principles of diversity and tolerance, especially among music lovers, so we are happy to lend our support to the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. We’re looking forward to this most intriguing and interesting event.”

Joolz Denby will collect a donation on behalf of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation.Joolz Denby will collect a donation on behalf of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation.
Joolz Denby will collect a donation on behalf of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

There will also be a book-signing at 3pm by acclaimed Bradford author A A Dhand, who has recently published his latest crime thriller Girl Zero. Featuring Detective Inspector Harry Virdee, the hero of Dhand’s debut novel Streets of Darkness, it’s another foray into Bradford’s “dark heart.”

Streets of Darkness has already been hailed a huge success, with the TV rights sold to FilmWave, whose director Paul Trijbits was Executive Producer for the recent adaptation of J K Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy for the BBC and HBO.

It is the fourth free-entry Steampunk & Gothic fair held at the Brew Haus bar and Stein Bierkeller off Great Horton Road, alongside the Alhambra Theatre and goes on from noon to 5pm. This time the event will raise funds for a variety of local charities.

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With 23 stalls, spread over three floors, the fair will feature a wide selection of both Steampunk and Gothic traders. Stalls will range from alternative arts, crafts and gifts to clothing, accessories and jewellery, soaps, candles and photographic prints.

The fair is organised by Catherine Gilford of Purple Butterfly Jewellery.The fair is organised by Catherine Gilford of Purple Butterfly Jewellery.
The fair is organised by Catherine Gilford of Purple Butterfly Jewellery.

There will be open mic poetry from 12.30pm to 1.30pm and another chance to indulge in some popular Steampunk pastimes such as Tea Duelling – which requires some creative sleight of hand involving a mug of tea and dunking biscuits.

The Fairs are organised by Baildon-based Catherine Gilford of Purple Butterfly Jewellery (Goth name Lucrezia Raven).

She said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have these amazing guests coming along to support the event as well as the usual great creative stalls and activities. We hope lots of Bradfordians and visitors alike will come along and browse through all the fabulous work, whether you’re already a fan of genres or would just like to find out a bit more about alternative cultures.”

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Entry is free but with charity donations gratefully accepted. Children are welcome throughout the day.

For further information visit the Steampunk and Gothic Fair Facebook event:

www.facebook.com/events/1883026875243341/